Torry, lying on the south bank of the River Dee, was once a Royal Burgh in its own right, having been erected a burgh of barony in 1495. It was incorporated into Aberdeen in 1891, after the construction of the Victoria Bridge. Torry is connected to the north bank of the Dee and the centre of Aberdeen by three bridges.

Torry includes a large housing estate developed as a "garden suburb" to relieve overcrowding in Aberdeen. It is famous for its fishing community and still has a number of fishing businesses operating close to the Dee. However, most of the old fishermen's cottages of Old Torry have been swept away by first the channelling of the River Dee, then later by modern industry, particularly North sea oil at Torry Quay. Torry is also home to the Fisheries Research Laboratory in Victoria Road, as well as Craiginches prison.

The Balnagask 18 hole golf course offers panoramic city views from the east side of Torry, as well as a good vantage point for viewing the dolphins which frequent the harbour mouth area.